About this publication
Bowerbirds
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Male satin bowerbirds decorate their intricate [CR]bowers with mainly blue items: flowers, feathers, [CR]berries...and clothes pegs.
September 2002
How did bowerbirds get their name?
Male bowerbirds weave intricate display areas (or bowers) out of twigs. They decorate their bowers with charcoal, saliva and colourful objects. Because of this, bowerbirds are often thought of as the most advanced of all birds.
A bower isn't a nest. It's an attractive 'avenue', used by male bowerbirds to entice a female. When they are not feeding, the males spend much of their time perched in the bower, calling to potential mates and warning off potential rivals.
Where do bowerbirds live?
Bowerbirds are very closely related to the birds of paradise, and species of bowerbirds are found in many parts of Australia and New Guinea. They are mainly forest birds, living in a particular local area throughout their lives. Four bowerbird species live in New South Wales:
- satin bowerbirds
- regent bowerbirds
- spotted bowerbirds
- green catbirds.
More information on particular species
Green catbirds
Regent bowerbirds
Satin bowerbirds
Spotted bowerbirds